Understandings of a Human

I was reading Proverbs 30 today (in part because I attempt to read a Proverb a day in hopes of gaining more wisdom) and the chapter spoke deeply to the roots of my heart. I will break it down by parts.

Source: Bible Gateway
Translation: NLT (I love NIV and NKJV, but NLT rocks)

Proverbs 30

Proverbs 30
The Sayings of Agur
1 The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh contain this message.[a]

I am weary, O God;
I am weary and worn out, O God.[b]
2 I am too stupid to be human,
and I lack common sense.
3 I have not mastered human wisdom,
nor do I know the Holy One.

4 Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down?
Who holds the wind in his fists?
Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak?
Who has created the whole wide world?
What is his name—and his son’s name?
Tell me if you know!

Isn't it amazing how God is using an honest man, completely useless and broken before the Lord, to prophesy about Jesus?! Look at verse 4--this man, Agur, comes before God in anguish and pain about his lack of humanly understanding, is the only man in ALL of Proverbs to reference the Son of God! This is truly what Paul was talking about in 1 Corinthians 1, where he says God will use the weak to shame the wise.

If you are reading this and you are one of those Christians who tends to think that you do not know or understand much of the Bible, CONGRATULATIONS! You may very well be used to prophesy or declare the Word of God! I reflect upon all the times I have poked fun at my friends or acquaintances for lack of common sense, but why have I prided myself into making others seem foolish?


5 Every word of God proves true.
He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.
6 Do not add to his words,
or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.

The Word of the Lord cannot be tarnished or changed. As it says in Hebrews, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I realized that as a preacher, not only can you not alter what God has planned to say, but you HAVE to say what's on God's mind. This is scary! What if people will get offended by what God has to say? I have no choice, and neither do you because the Word of the Lord is not declared through simply preaching, but word of mouth, such as sharing the Gospel with friends, family, and strangers. I have been rebuked by the Lord through many ways: other people's messages, my authorities, my friends and accountability partners, through a series of unfortunate events.

7 O God, I beg two favors from you;
let me have them before I die.
8 First, help me never to tell a lie.
Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!
Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.
9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?”
And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.

Here is an often asked ice-breaker: What would you do if you had a million dollars? However, my question right back is, "Why would I want a million dollars?" Surely, there is nothing in this world I can buy that will satisfy me! An iPod will only get outdated by another iPod, and a 2009 car will be trumped by its 2010 successor. Lord, I just pray for satisfaction with my finances, not an abundance; only give me the abundance if you want to bless me to bless others.


I will continue verse 10 to 19 sometime in another post.

--dan

"I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth." (Isaiah 62:9)

It speaks here of putting watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem, which can figuratively represent the Church. Watchmen are those that are in watch with God. Whether it's meditating on the Word of God, focusing your thoughts on Him, or praying, it is being awake with the Lord, spending time with Jesus. Jesus speaks could we not keep watch with Him for one hour. (Mark 14) We learn that we should strive to call on God and give ourselves no rest, until he establishes Jerusalem(church) and makes her the praise of the earth. Keep on praying, and see God make His Church shine brighter than ever, lighting this dark world in grace and truth.



I) Remain in Him
II) Live a Life in watching for God ( Keep watch for an hour a day )
III) Focus on prayer
IV) Pray the Word of God ->

The Greatest Commandments